Sports Column: Questions abound in the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is headed for Green Bay, Wisconsin this week, as a chaotic and somewhat controversial class waits to hear their names called on Thursday.

There are countless questions that are still unanswered heading into this draft week. Team needs across the league certainly do not line up with what this upcoming crop of college talent has to offer. In fact, we really only have one pick of this upcoming draft set in stone: first overall. The Tennessee Titans will almost certainly be drafting their quarterback of the future, Miami’s Cam Ward. His laid back yet electric style of play harkens back to the likes of Titan’s legend, Steve McNair, making the potential of this pick a welcome sight for Tennessee fans and NFL-purists alike.

After that, we really have no clue what this class has to offer. There’s only one true marquee player after Ward: Penn State’s Abdul Carter. The star edge rusher is a no-doubt game breaker at multiple positions. He is truly almost a carbon copy of another former Nittany Lion, Micah Parsons, who took the league by storm not long ago. In the middle or off-tackle, Carter is tailor-made for today’s NFL. 

The other headliners of this class have more questions, but they are all ready to make an impact on day one in the league. 

Travis Hunter is probably the most media-covered player in the draft. The WR/CB utility unicorn is unlike any prospect the modern NFL has ever seen. No one can deny his talent. We just don’t know if his style is even humanly possible in today’s game like he showed at Colorado.

Ashton Jeanty is the showstopper in the backfield. The Boise State product looks like the new-age Marshawn Lynch, but he also has more miles on his tires than any other runningback in the draft. Not to be too outdone is North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. He’s been outshined by Jeanty in pre-draft coverage, but his talent is just as equal in the eyes of many scouts. Don’t be surprised to see him go off the board not long after Jeanty.

Up front is probably this class’s best commodity. The offensive line is deep at multiple positions, headlined by LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou. Campbell is listed as a tackle, but a majority of the league believes he’ll move into guard due to his build. He is still a top-15 talent at that position, but he’ll be less coveted because of it. Membou on the other hand is a textbook tackle. His long arms and wide base, along with grade-A footwork, make him a prime bookend for any team that needs him. Beyond those two, Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Ohio State’s Josh Simmons,  Texas’ Kelvin Banks, Jr. and many others are all going to hear their names called in round one.

Defensively, there are some studs coming out as well. Michigan is sending a trio of day one difference makers this year; defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and cornerback Will Johnson will each be selected on Thursday night.

After that, you have Bama’s Jihaad Cambell as the lone star linebacker. In the middle, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon is the next name at the DT position. On the edge, you have Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, Marshall’s Mike Green and Tennessee’s James Pearce, Jr. all likely going in night one.

Finally, we can’t talk about this draft without addressing the rest of the quarterback class, most notably Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado signal caller is the most divisive prospect this draft has to offer. Some believe he’s worthy of the number two pick. Others believe he shouldn’t be drafted in the first round at all. As the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, he comes with plenty of baggage. Not only do you get the added pressure of his family’s influence, but also we have heard many reports of immaturity and arrogance throughout the draft process. His play on the field, though very good, has not been good enough to silence critics. We will see what team thinks he can be their future.

The draft will go live at 7 p.m. on NFL Network. Fingers crossed that your team doesn’t blow it this year.